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Shimada A, Ueno H, Kawabata K, Inagaki M. Robustanic acid as a glutaminase and Na +, K +-ATPase inhibitor from leaves of Eucalyptus globulus. Z NATURFORSCH C 2024; 0:znc-2024-0071. [PMID: 38953524 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2024-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
This study was to compare glutaminase and Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitory activities of 20 herbal extracts and investigate the isolation, structural elucidation and those inhibitory activities of three triterpenes from the selected extract of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Three triterpenes, ursolic acid (1), robustanic acid (2) and ursolic acid lactone (3), were identified by analyzing their NMR and MS spectral data and comparison of these with reported data. The IC50 values of 1-3 and the control compound against glutaminase, 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), were 443 μM, 334 μM, 963 μM and 134 μM, respectively. The IC50 values of 1, 2 and the control compound against Na+, K+-ATPase and ouabain, were 180 μM, 56 μM and 0.5 μM, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 may serve as potential lead compounds for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative and lifestyle-related diseases by targeting glutaminase and Na+, K+-ATPase. This is the first report on glutaminase and Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitory activities of 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsumi Shimada
- Division of Food and Nutrition, 73489 Nakamura Gakuen University Junior College , Fukuoka 814-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ueno
- Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0193, Japan
| | - Kohei Kawabata
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Yasuda Women's University, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan
| | - Masanori Inagaki
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Yasuda Women's University, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan
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Triaa N, Znati M, Ben Jannet H, Bouajila J. Biological Activities of Novel Oleanolic Acid Derivatives from Bioconversion and Semi-Synthesis. Molecules 2024; 29:3091. [PMID: 38999041 PMCID: PMC11243203 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29133091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Oleanolic acid (OA) is a vegetable chemical that is present naturally in a number of edible and medicinal botanicals. It has been extensively studied by medicinal chemists and scientific researchers due to its biological activity against a wide range of diseases. A significant number of researchers have synthesized a variety of analogues of OA by modifying its structure with the intention of creating more potent biological agents and improving its pharmaceutical properties. In recent years, chemical and enzymatic techniques have been employed extensively to investigate and modify the chemical structure of OA. This review presents recent advancements in medical chemistry for the structural modification of OA, with a special focus on the biotransformation, semi-synthesis and relationship between the modified structures and their biopharmaceutical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla Triaa
- Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products Team, Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity (LR11ES39), Faculty of Science of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue of Environment, Monastir 5019, Tunisia; (N.T.); (M.Z.)
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Mansour Znati
- Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products Team, Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity (LR11ES39), Faculty of Science of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue of Environment, Monastir 5019, Tunisia; (N.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Hichem Ben Jannet
- Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products Team, Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity (LR11ES39), Faculty of Science of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue of Environment, Monastir 5019, Tunisia; (N.T.); (M.Z.)
| | - Jalloul Bouajila
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique, Université Paul Sabatier, CNRS, INPT, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
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3
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Mi J, Wu X, Liang J. The advances in adjuvant therapy for tuberculosis with immunoregulatory compounds. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1380848. [PMID: 38966394 PMCID: PMC11222340 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1380848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease, as well as a complex immune disease. The occurrence, development, and prognosis of TB are not only related to the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), but also related to the patient's own immune state. The research and development of immunotherapy drugs can effectively regulate the body's anti-TB immune responses, inhibit or eliminate Mtb, alleviate pathological damage, and facilitate rehabilitation. This paper reviews the research progress of immunotherapeutic compounds for TB, including immunoregulatory compounds and repurposing drugs, and points out the existing problems and future research directions, which lays the foundation for studying new agents for host-directed therapies of TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Mi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Institute of Tuberculosis Research, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqiong Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Institute of Tuberculosis Research, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianqin Liang
- Department of Tuberculosis, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Sylla B, Jost G, Lavoie S, Legault J, Gauthier C, Pichette A. Synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of d- and l-sugar-containing mono- and bidesmosidic ursane-type saponins. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 106:117737. [PMID: 38718553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Ursolic acid and uvaol are naturally occurring triterpenoids that exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including cytotoxicity. However, a primary challenge in the development of ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids for pharmacological use is their poor aqueous solubility, which can impede their effectiveness as therapeutics agents. In this study, we present the facile synthesis of ursolic acid monodesmosides and uvaol bidesmosides, incorporating naturally occurring and water-soluble pentoses and deoxyhexose sugar moieties of opposite d- and l-configurations at the C3 or C3/C28 positions of the ursane core. The twenty synthetic saponins were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity against lung carcinoma (A549) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cell lines. Notably, all the bidesmosidic uvaol saponins were shown to be cytotoxic as compared to their non-cytotoxic parent triterpenoid. For each series of ursane-type saponins, the most active compounds were 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ursolic acid (3h) and 3,28-di-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl uvaol (4f), showing IC50 values in the low micromolar range against A549 and DLD-1 cancer lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balla Sylla
- Centre de Recherche sur La Boréalie (CREB), Laboratoire LASEVE, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Gilles Jost
- Centre de Recherche sur La Boréalie (CREB), Laboratoire LASEVE, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Serge Lavoie
- Centre de Recherche sur La Boréalie (CREB), Laboratoire LASEVE, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Jean Legault
- Centre de Recherche sur La Boréalie (CREB), Laboratoire LASEVE, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada; Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) INRS-UQAC, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Chicoutimi & Laval, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada
| | - Charles Gauthier
- Centre de Recherche sur La Boréalie (CREB), Laboratoire LASEVE, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada; Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) INRS-UQAC, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Chicoutimi & Laval, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada.
| | - André Pichette
- Centre de Recherche sur La Boréalie (CREB), Laboratoire LASEVE, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec G7H 2B1, Canada.
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Li Q, Lianghao Y, Shijie G, Zhiyi W, Yuanting T, Cong C, Chun-Qin Z, Xianjun F. Self-assembled nanodrug delivery systems for anti-cancer drugs from traditional Chinese medicine. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:1662-1692. [PMID: 38411151 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01451g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a combination of raw herbs and herbal extracts with a plethora of documented beneficial bioactivities, which has unique advantages in anti-tumor therapy, and many of its major bioactive molecules have been identified in recent years due to advances in chemical separation and structural analysis. However, the major chemical classes of plant-derived bioactive compounds frequently possess chemical properties, including poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability, that limit their therapeutic application. Alternatively, natural small molecules (NSMs) containing these components possess modifiable groups, multiple action sites, hydrophobic side chains, and a rigid skeleton with self-assembly properties that can be exploited to construct self-assembled nanoparticles with therapeutic effects superior to their individual constituents. For instance, the construction of a self-assembled nanodrug delivery system can effectively overcome the strong hydrophobicity and poor in vivo stability of NSMs, thereby greatly improving their bioavailability and enhancing their anti-tumor efficacy. This review summarizes the self-assembly methods, mechanisms, and applications of a variety of NSMs, including terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and saponins, providing a theoretical basis for the subsequent research on NSMs and the development of SANDDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Li
- Experimental Centre, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Lianghao
- Experimental Centre, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Gao Shijie
- Experimental Centre, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Wang Zhiyi
- Experimental Centre, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Tang Yuanting
- Experimental Centre, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China
| | - Chen Cong
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, P. R. China.
| | - Zhao Chun-Qin
- Academy of Chinese Medicine Literature and Culture, Key Laboratory of Classical Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, PR China.
| | - Fu Xianjun
- Marine Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Centre, Qingdao Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao 266114, P. R. China.
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Huang XL, Sun Y, Wen P, Pan JC, He WY. The potential mechanism of ursolic acid in the treatment of bladder cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. J Int Med Res 2024; 52:3000605241234006. [PMID: 38443785 PMCID: PMC10916484 DOI: 10.1177/03000605241234006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explored the potential molecular mechanisms of ursolic acid (UA) in bladder cancer treatment using network pharmacology and molecular docking. METHODS The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and UniProt databases were used to screen potential targets of UA. Relevant bladder cancer target genes were extracted using the GeneCards database. All data were pooled and intercrossed to obtain common target genes of UA and bladder cancer. Gene Ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Molecular docking was conducted to verify the possible binding conformation between UA and bladder cancer cells. Then, in vitro experiments were performed to further validate the predicted results. RESULTS UA exerts anti-tumor effects on bladder cancer through multiple targets and pathways. Molecular docking indicated that UA undergoes stable binding with the proteins encoded by the top six core genes (STAT3, VEGFA, CASP3, TP53, IL1B, and CCND1). The in vitro experiments verified that UA can induce bladder cancer cell apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our study illustrated the potential mechanism of UA in bladder cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The results will provide scientific references for follow-up studies and clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Long Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Urology, People’s Hospital of Hechuan, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Wen
- Department of Urology, People’s Hospital of Hechuan, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun-Cheng Pan
- Department of Urology, People’s Hospital of Hechuan, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei-Yang He
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Lei P, Li Z, Hua Q, Song P, Gao L, Zhou L, Cai Q. Ursolic Acid Alleviates Neuroinflammation after Intracerebral Hemorrhage by Mediating Microglial Pyroptosis via the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14771. [PMID: 37834220 PMCID: PMC10572659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuroinflammatory response after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes a large amount of neuronal loss, and inhibiting the inflammatory response can improve the prognosis. In previous laboratory studies and clinical trials, ursolic acid (UA) inhibited the inflammatory response, but whether it can be administered to inhibit the neuroinflammatory response after cerebral hemorrhage is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ursolic acid after cerebral hemorrhage. Online databases were used to obtain potential therapeutic targets of ursolic acid for the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage, and possible mechanisms were analyzed by KEGG, GO, and molecular docking. A rat model of cerebral hemorrhage was established using collagenase, and an in vitro cerebral hemorrhage model was constructed by adding hemin to BV2 cell culture medium. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence, TUNEL staining, and calcein/PI staining were used to investigate the degree of microglial M1 polarization, changes in the levels of inflammatory factors, activation of the NF-κB pathway, and changes in the indicators of cellular death after ursolic acid treatment. In addition, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to activate the NF-κB pathway to verify that ursolic acid exerts its anti-neuroinflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses revealed that ursolic acid may exert its therapeutic effects on cerebral hemorrhage through multiple pathways. Together, in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that ursolic acid inhibited microglial M1 polarization and significantly reduced the levels of p-NF-κB, GSDMD-N, cleaved caspase-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, which were significantly inhibited by the use of PMA. Ursolic acid inhibits microglial pyroptosis via the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway to alleviate neuroinflammatory responses after cerebral hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Long Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; (P.L.); (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (P.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Qiang Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; (P.L.); (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (P.S.); (L.G.)
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Zhao M, Wu F, Tang Z, Yang X, Liu Y, Wang F, Chen B. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of ursolic acid: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1256946. [PMID: 37841938 PMCID: PMC10568483 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1256946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: There is currently evidence suggesting that ursolic acid may exert a favorable influence on both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant impact. Nevertheless, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ursolic acid have not been systematically evaluated. Consequently, this study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the impact of ursolic acid on markers of inflammatory and antioxidant activity in both animal models and in vitro systems. Methods: The search encompassed databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, up until May 2023. All eligible articles in English were included in the analysis. Standard mean difference (SMD) was pooled using a random-effects model, and the included studies underwent a thorough assessment for potential bias. Results: The final review comprised 31 articles. In disease-model related studies, animal experiments have consistently shown that ursolic acid significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory parameters IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in mouse tissues. In vitro studies have similarly showed that ursolic acid significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory parameters IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. Our results showed that ursolic acid could significantly elevate SOD and GSH levels, while significantly reducing MDA levels in animal tissues. The results of in vitro studies shown that ursolic acid significantly increased the level of GSH and decreased the level of MDA. Discussion: Findings from both animal and in vitro studies suggest that ursolic acid decreases inflammatory cytokine levels, elevates antioxidant enzyme levels, and reduces oxidative stress levels (graphical abstract). This meta-analysis furnishes compelling evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ursolic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Fengyang Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Zhaohong Tang
- Hebei Research Institute of Microbiology Co., Ltd., Baoding, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yanhua Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Fengxia Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Baojiang Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
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Du Y, Cai X. Therapeutic potential of natural compounds from herbs and nutraceuticals in spinal cord injury: Regulation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114905. [PMID: 37207430 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disease in which the spinal cord is subjected to various external forces that cause it to burst, shift, or, in severe cases, injure the spinal tissue, resulting in nerve injury. SCI includes not only acute primary injury but also delayed and persistent spinal tissue injury (i.e., secondary injury). The pathological changes post-SCI are complex, and effective clinical treatment strategies are lacking. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) coordinates the growth and metabolism of eukaryotic cells in response to various nutrients and growth factors. The mTOR signaling pathway has multiple roles in the pathogenesis of SCI. There is evidence for the beneficial effects of natural compounds and nutraceuticals that regulate the mTOR signaling pathways in a variety of diseases. Therefore, the effects of natural compounds on the pathogenesis of SCI were evaluated by a comprehensive review using electronic databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline, combined with our expertise in neuropathology. In particular, we reviewed the pathogenesis of SCI, including the importance of secondary nerve injury after the primary mechanical injury, the roles of the mTOR signaling pathways, and the beneficial effects and mechanisms of natural compounds that regulate the mTOR signaling pathway on pathological changes post-SCI, including effects on inflammation, neuronal apoptosis, autophagy, nerve regeneration, and other pathways. This recent research highlights the value of natural compounds in regulating the mTOR pathway, providing a basis for developing novel therapeutic strategies for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Du
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Xue Cai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
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Zhang H, Xing Z, Zheng J, Shi J, Cui C. Ursolic acid ameliorates traumatic brain injury in mice by regulating microRNA-141-mediated PDCD4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110258. [PMID: 37244112 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal apoptosis and inflammation are the key pathogenic features of secondary brain injury, which results in the neurological impairment that traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients experience. Ursolic Acid (UA) has been shown to have neuroprotective properties against brain damage, however, detailed mechanisms have not been fully disclosed. Research on brain-related microRNAs (miRNAs) has opened up new possibilities for the neuroprotective treatment of UA by manipulating miRNAs. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of UA on neuronal apoptosis and the inflammatory response in TBI mice. METHODS The mice's neurologic condition was assessed using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and the learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). Cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation were utilized to examine the impact of UA on neuronal pathological damage. miR-141-3p was selected to evaluate whether UA influences miRNAs in a way that has neuroprotective benefits. RESULTS The results showed that UA markedly decreased brain edema and neuronal mortality through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in TBI mice. Using data from the GEO database, we found that miR-141-3p was considerably downregulated in TBI mice and that this downregulation was reversed by UA treatment. Further studies have shown that UA regulates miR-141-3p expression to exhibit its neuroprotective effect in mouse models and cell injury models. Then, miR-141-3p was discovered to directly target PDCD4 in TBI mice and neurons, a well-known PI3K/AKT pathway regulator in the neurons. Most importantly, the upregulation of phosphorylated (p)-AKT and p-PI3K provided the most compelling evidence that UA reactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway in the TBI mouse model, which was through regulating miR-141-3p. CONCLUSION Our findings support the notion that UA can improve TBI by modulating miR-141 mediated PDCD4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China
| | - Zhenyi Xing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China.
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China
| | - Jiantao Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chong'qing 40000, China
| | - Chengxi Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan, China
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